With the veteran homelessness problem now getting a lot more attention nationwide, a lot of individual cities are now starting to do more to deal with the problem whenever they can. To that end, one group in Western Massachusetts has come up with an impressive plan to help alleviate the problem.
The veterans assistance group Soldier On recently began renovations on the long-unused Chapin School in Chicopee property it purchased in 2012, according to a report from the Springfield Republican. Through a number of funding sources including grants, loans, and tax credits, the group was able to start the $10.5 million work last year, and they are now expected to come to an end in June, at which point veterans can begin moving into its 43 one-bedroom apartments.
"We are in the process of identifying veterans who are eligible for the units," Joanne Beauregard, controller for Daniel O'Connell and Sons, a construction firm that partnered with Soldier On, told the newspaper. "Everyone who qualifies was once homeless and is in temporary housing."
Veterans who are struggling in this way, or know people who are, will likely have at least one organization in their area that aims to help get former servicemembers off the streets.